How to Check Inverter Battery Health: Inverter battery is important very important, inverter batteries are crucial for smooth flow of power supply, especially in the areas that experience frequent power shutdowns. It is very important to check the health of inverter as it will ensure that the battery runs effectively without any problem, this will also ensure that the battery will get long lifespan.
This article would delve into the various steps that are considered to check the battery health of a inverter. Regular check of the battery health would help in prolong lifespan of the battery, it will lead to effective and efficient performance of the battery, and additionally it will limit the frequent power cuts and lastly, it will also reduce the maintenance costs.
Below are the different steps that needs to be considered while checking the battery health:
Visual Inspection:
It is important to check if there is any physical damage like cracks, bulges or any leaks, additionally it is important to check the battery terminals for corrosion.
Check the Electrolyte Level:
In case of lead-acid batteries, the caps of the batteries are opened as to check the electrolyte level. The plates should be completely covered with electrolyte. If the level seems to be low then it should be filled up with distilled water, remember not to overfill it.
Measure the Voltage:
To measure the voltage, it is important to charge the battery full, the battery needs to be disconnected from the inverter. The multimeter needs to connected to the DC voltage mode and the probes needs to be connected to the battery terminals. The reading of a healthy and fully charged battery needs to be between 12.6 V to 12.8 V.
Load Testing:
Load testing is also very important as it will help in assessing the performance of the battery. To start the load test, the load tester is connected to the batter, it could be a light blub also. Then after connecting it is important to check the voltage drop, if the voltage drops significantly then the battery is weak. A health battery should maintain a voltage above 12V under load.
Specific Gravity Test:
Specific gravity test is done in the lead-acid batteries, it is done to check the electrolyte using a hydrometer. In the hydrometer, an electrolyte is drawn and also note can be read. A healthy battery should have a specific gravity between 1.250 and 1.285.
Check the Sulfation:
Sulfation takes place when battery is not being charged properly, or it has been discharged for a longer period of time. It could also take place due to hard crystalline deposits on the battery plates. If the sulfation is mild in nature, then it could be reversed slowly and prolonged charging, but if the sulfation is severe than the battery will become unusable.
Frequently Asked Questions
The battery of the inverter needs to be checked at least once every 3 months. Regular checkup helps in recognizing serious issues early and it also helps in maintain optimal performance.
The battery might show reduce backup time, there will be leakage and swelling in the battery, there will be low gravity readings and it will not be able to get charge properly.
Distilled water should be use to top up a battery as it will help in leveling up the electrolyte level. Whereas Tap water contains minerals and impurities that pose harm to the battery.
Conclusion
Inverter batteries are crucial for smooth power supply flow, especially in areas with frequent power shutdowns. Regular check-ups ensure the battery’s health, prolong its lifespan, and reduce maintenance costs. To check the battery’s health, inspect for physical damage, check the electrolyte level, measure voltage, load test, and specific gravity test.
Visual inspection involves checking for cracks, bulges, leaks, and corrosion on battery terminals. Electrolyte level is checked by opening the batteries’ caps and filling them with distilled water. Voltage readings should be between 12.6 V to 12.8 V. Load testing assesses battery performance by checking voltage drop and specific gravity using a hydrometer. Sulfation, caused by improper charging or prolonged discharge, can be reversed with mild reversal, while severe sulfation renders the battery unusable.
